Any bloody excuse!

Edited this for accuracy.

I think Smithy will be at Full Back as McDermott had previously said that Zak is getting a rest when talking about Chisholm playing.

Webb and Delaney wont be playing either.
At least McShane can show how good he is when he comes up against Wakefields new signing Danny Buderus.
I wouldn`t be suprised if he plays him off the park and you would never have guessed Buderus was playing.

Is Smithy gonnaturn up like he means it this season? I hope so as on his day he's a very useful player. Since his return from Union though we've seen nothing like his best!

Interesting to hear the coach fitting in to the Headingley PR machine so seamlessly, by describing the Boxing Day game as an important part of the team's pre-season preparations.

Clearly, given the number of players being excused from taking part in it for one reason or another

Richard Mathers will be playing for Wakefield as he has just signed for them on a season long loan.

He's just been on Yorkshire Radio saying he's not ready and is 7wks behind pre-season training so he's hoping to play against Catalans or Cas!!

Says on article on wakey site that he could be in line.

Think mathers has been training in gym (weights etc) but has been excluded from ball skills/team strategy sessions with cas.

He may play but may not be fully up to speed with the teams game plan, language, plays etc. ( can't believe I said wakey actually may have a plan and some plays)

In fairness, I think these friendlies do have a certain role in getting players ready for the new season. Which isn't to say that I think the result matters or anything, but for players who haven't been on international duty, I don't think any training session is a substitute for a match for blowing away some cobwebs.

And blowing off some of the sprouts.

That's one thing I miss, Danny Ward going through the motions in these festive games. Now he's retired maybe he could squeeze himself into one of the shirts?

1. Lee Smith
2. Jimmy Watson
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Jamel Chisholm
6. Stevie Ward
7. Rob Burrow
8. Darrell Griffin
9. Paul McShane
10. Ian Kirke
11. Jay Pitts
12. Weller Hauraki
13. Chris Clarkson
14. Liam Hood
15. Richard Moore
16. Brad Singleton
17. Luke Briscoe

The Wakefield squad in full is:
Kyle Amor, Ben Cockayne, Dean Collis, Richard Mathers, Issac John, Andy Ellis, Tim Smith, Oliver Wilkes, Andy Rowley, Steve Southern, Kyle Wood, Paul Johnson, Kyle Trout, Frankie Mariano, Matt Wildie, Dale Morton, Danny Kirmond, Danny Washbrook, Matt James

Looks a stronger squad than last year. Ellis is on the money out of acting half and if Tim Smith sorts his head out these pivots could pull the strings for Wakie next year.

I am pretty happy with how we are looking on paper. Think we have invested around 1.2-1.3 mill on the squad this year. Better than the 700k last year!

I just hope for an improved year where we can be challenging for a playoff spot with a few games to go.

Leeds as always will go well.

As off boxing day derby. What could be better than freezing my jewels off on the terracing watching a derby. 5 layers of clothing, be good to see some of our new faces.

Thought lauititi would line up, would like to have seen and Fox but game comes too soon I think.

Wakefield have a top-8 pack and bench this year (Amor, Ellis, Johnson, Southern, Lauititi, Washbrook/ Aiton, Wilkes, Kirmond, Raleigh). However their back division looks about the weakest in the league. And as for their coach...

are we only going to play 17 player i though Luke Ambler would have got a place on the bench it dont look good
if he cant get in the boxing team

Surprised they're not giving Buderus a run out

Our backs for me are ok. We sighned crus top try scorer (Mellars), a couple of other decent backs. I agree that our forwards are stronger by some way but think there are a couple of clubs with weaker backs. Salford being one club.

Backs are : Mathers, Tony, cockayne, fox, Mellars, Collis, Morton, Walshaw (high hopes), cowling. Starting backs are decent but a few injuries and backups a touch inexperienced at SL level.

I just want improvement and think the squad should see that. I don't expect us to be up with Leeds but to bridge the gap some would be nice.

Adam will you be able to text me score updates squire?

On his day he's a gamebreaker and a real 'big-match player'. Smithy's still got that potential and he's still pretty young, but I've heard (from good authority) that he had the highest body-fat index in the club last year. Guess it might be down to how much desire he shows in getting over this.

Resultsw not being terribly important in these matches, seeing (or rather hearing, since I'm firmly Midlands-based this year) how Hood, Ward and Singleton look in a senior team.